Think of some addictive drugs. Cocaine may come to mind, along with maybe methamphetamine, alcohol, or nicotine. But if I had to guess, marijuana did not make your cut.
It is easy to understand why marijuana isn’t generally thought of as a particularly dangerous drug. Its recreational usage has been legalized in most states, including Massachusetts, meaning our 21+ classmates can legally purchase cannabis products while attending this school. This legislation may also make marijuana more accessible to underage students purchasing products through dealers or distributors. Moreover, due to the legalization of medical marijuana, students 18 and over may obtain a medical marijuana card to legally purchase cannabis products. Medical marijuana is reserved for those with medical conditions for which cannabis is prescribed, while “recreational” refers to the usage of marijuana for any non-medical reason.
Similarly, in the past decades, more and more college students have opted to smoke weed; these statistics reached record highs in 2020, when 44% of college-aged adults—the highest recorded percentage since the 1980s—reported marijuana use during the year, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The legalization of medical and, in many states, recreational use of marijuana, in conjunction with the increasing levels of college users, is enough to make anyone question the severity of the drug. A National Library of Medicine (NLM) published review explains that skepticism about marijuana addiction potentially stems from its apparent lack of addictive properties. Highly addictive drugs, such as cocaine, are addictive because they produce a change in brain chemistry which causes intense pain and discomfort if the individual stops using the drug. This process is formally known as “withdrawal.” However, marijuana is not generally thought of as causing extreme distress to regular users when they quit. In other words, most people think marijuana does not produce strong enough withdrawal symptoms to warrant being called an “addictive” drug.
Yet as the journal describes, the evidence is overwhelmingly contrary. Studies in the last decade have established that using marijuana and abruptly stopping does cause significant withdrawal, meaning the drug contains addictive properties.
Despite the common misconception that cannabis is not an addictive drug, it can become highly addictive, and regular use can result in a substance dependence known as marijuana use disorder. Recognizing that the widespread use of marijuana among youth may be a prerequisite to developing such an addiction, it is then important to understand how schools should take steps to combat underage usage.
Statistically, 1 in 10 people who smoke marijuana will develop an addiction to it. Though occasional usage is not inherently dangerous, it can turn into something much more compulsive when living without using becomes intolerable. Marijuana withdrawal is similar to other drug withdrawals; individuals may experience restlessness, irritability, sleep disruptions, physical discomfort, and a loss of appetite, according to research published by the NLM. Symptoms can last up to two weeks, making abruptly quitting seem impossible.
The age at which someone starts smoking matters too. While it is estimated that only 9% of adult users develop marijuana dependence, that statistic jumps to 17% if the person starts using the drug regularly in their teen years. Current college users who began using in high school are at a markedly high risk of developing marijuana use disorder. So if we know that marijuana is addictive and that people who begin using as young adults are more likely to develop an addiction, what’s the best way to curb underage marijuana usage?
The Partnership to End Addiction believes prevention starts at the primary and secondary school levels. They argue that using empirical data, instead of fear tactics, to educate students about the dangers of cannabis use can lower students’ risk of future addiction. Moreover, they explain that it is essential to provide parents with the same materials as students to garner the involvement of the community. Peer intervention can also elicit positive responses, as youth may listen more intently to peers than adults.
When it comes to college, the most effective option may be for institutions to focus more broadly on prevention in addition to intervention for current users. Research done on prevention programs implemented in six Minnesota colleges revealed a strong correlation between students with documented mental health issues and students who turned to substances as coping skills. As a result, it is recommended that institutions focus more on stressors that may trigger substance use, as opposed to the drugs themselves.
Harvard University Health Services has its very own substance use treatment and prevention program, open to all students. Though the College does not condone the use of substances on campus, students who report to University staff, such as health services or campus police, for help with substance-related issues will not be penalized, allowing students in need to seek help without stressing about disciplinary measures.
Of course, the solution to marijuana addiction isn’t to start petitioning state governments to criminalize weed, or to punish students who use substances. But with school-and-community-based prevention in both primary, secondary, and post-secondary schools, I believe we can lower the number of young adults stuck in an addictive cycle of cannabis use.
Emmie Palfrey ’27 (epalfrey@college.harvard.edu) didn’t realize how many words there were for “weed” before writing this article.